SEPTA Reprieve, But for How Long?
Philadelphians and visitors to the city who ride the transit operated by the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transit Authority (SEPTA) have had a wild ride lately, especially when it comes to the fares they
news
Teamsters at Three Railroads Ratify Contracts
Fifty-one workers at three railroads represented by the Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way Employes Division (BMWED) of the Teamsters Rail Conference have ratified new contracts. On Dec. 4, Teamsters at the Colorado and Wyoming
TSA NPRM Seeks to Establish Pipeline, Railroad Cyber Risk Management Programs
The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) on Nov. 6 published a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) that proposes to mandate cyber risk management and reporting requirements for certain surface transportation owners and operators.
Denver RTD Proposes $1.2B 2025 Budget (UPDATED, 12/5)
Denver Regional Transportation District (RTD) has proposed a $1.2 billion budget in 2025 that the agency says, “will result in increased levels of service, continue hiring efforts for key frontline positions, and sustain preventative maintenance projects that launched in 2024.”
Commentary
AAR Responds to Primus Publicity Stunt
Presumed-outgoing STB Chairman Robert Primus (yes, the President-elect is expected to replace him) recently wrote to Association of American Railroads President and CEO Ian Jefferies taking issue with what he termed “concern
Commentary
Preventing Tank Car NARs With Flat Graphite Gaskets
In the tank car industry, flat gaskets play a central role as the main barrier between the valve and the tank car itself, stopping any leaks of gas or liquid. They also
Commentary
Challenges for 2025: Farrukh Bezar
We hosted a call with Farrukh Bezar, Chairman of the Board at STG Logistics, the fourth-largest asset-based intermodal marketing company (IMC), on the state of the rail network, intermodal into 2025, and
MDOT MTA Advances Baltimore Red Line Project
STV, Jacobs and WRA will serve as transit delivery partners for Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT) Maryland Transit Administration’s (MTA) Red Line, a planned 14-mile light rail system connecting Baltimore’s east-west corridor
Northstar Set to ‘Empower Hamilton’
Northstar Clean Technologies Inc. has signed a non-binding LOI (letter of intent) with Hamilton-Oshawa Port Authority (HOPA) subsidiary Great Lakes Port Management Inc. (GLPM) for a long-term lease of an industrial zoned
‘Shopping’ Simplified, By TransmetriQ
Railinc®’sTransmetriQ brand has launched a new Shop Locator tool designed to reduce freight car out-of-service time for car users, owners and lessors. “Shop Locator helps fleet managers to quickly find repair shops when
Commentary
Getting There: Blended Dwell and Velocity Now Best Since 4Q20
The 2022 Service Crisis is still too fresh in the minds of rail customers, inhibiting share recapture from trucks, and this will remain the case for some time. However, the fact is
Transit Briefs: UNESCO Award; Canadian Transit Hub, TOD Projects
UNESCO recognizes New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority’s (MTA) Grand Central Madison with a “World’s Most Beautiful Passenger Station” interior award. Also, the Kitchener Central Transit Hub and Toronto’s 50 Wilson Heights TOD (transit-oriented development) advance in Ontario, Canada.
Supply Side: Hitachi Rail, Rail Vision
Hitachi Rail is named as Greater Toronto’s Top Employer. Also, Rail Vision introduces a new Software as a Service (SaaS) platform.
AAR: Carloads, Intermodal Down in Week 48
U.S. rail traffic for the week ending Nov. 30, 2024 (Week 48) came in at 439,362 carloads and intermodal units, down 13.8% from the same week last year, which did not include
Savage Opening Transload at Ontario’s Thorold Multimodal Hub
Savage on Dec. 4 reported that it is opening a new transload facility in Ontario, Canada.
FCR-Served Industrial Facility Under Development
A 225,000 square-foot “build-to-suit” industrial facility near Atlanta, Ga., is now under development and will be served by Fulton County Railway (FCR), a 25-mile short line that interchanges with CSX and is
FTA: $5MM Available to Launch T2 Program
The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) on Dec. 3 released a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) to establish a Technology Transfer (T2) Program. Proposals are due by 11:59 p.m. ET on Feb. 11, 2025.
Amtrak Sets ‘All-Time’ Ridership Record in FY24
Amtrak on Dec. 3 announced that it has achieved an “all-time” ridership record in Fiscal Year 2024 (FY24), welcoming 32.8 million customers “as demand for passenger rail service continues to grow in markets across the nation.”
Midcoast Seeks to Discontinue Service of MaineDOT-Owned Line Due to ‘Deficit Operations’ (UPDATED, 12/4)
Class III rail carrier Midcoast Railservice, Inc. (Midcoast), a subsidiary of New York-based Finger Lakes Railway Corp., on Aug. 16 filed with the Surface Transportation Board (STB) a petition under 49 U.S.C.
Small-Road Briefs: G&W, Watco
The Georgia Ports Authority (GPA) receives a $26.5 million federal grant for the Colonel’s Island Rail Improvements project, which is supported by Genesee & Wyoming (G&W). Also, Watco helps bring a building materials customer to Oklahoma and lands three awards for rail infrastructure projects.